Michael's Musings.....

Meeting needs of those in "shadows of life"

By Michael J Morris

It seems like the Family and Community Services Committee appointed by Cranbrook city council provoked much debate at a recent council meeting after a request was made to meet with Mayor Wayne Stetski about its "function and relevance."

It also wants to meet monthly on its regularly scheduled date regardless of whether or not there are items referred to it by council. Apparently, if there are no items, then it would hold a roundtable discussion on issues within its mandate.

Sounds pretty simple to me, but as always, there are wheels within wheels, and one should never assume.

According to a report in the Cranbrook Guardian, Councillors Angus Davis, Denise Pallesen and Diana Scott felt that council needed to have "control over committee activities and felt there should only be meetings when there was a direction from council to meet over specific topics."

Seemed like a top down approach to me but before I started spouting off about committees and volunteers, thought it best I visit the city's web site and look at the committee's terms of reference.

Councillor Sharon Cross, according to the Cranbrook Guardian report did point out that this particular committee had a lot to network about and there was value in meeting regularly even if there was no particular direction from council.

Yes, indeed, part of the committee's mandate is to review issues referred by the council, but it goes much further.

The committee is charged with the responsibility of researching and exploring opportunities for enhancement of services for seniors, youth and homeless people, and physically challenged and enhancement of physical accessibility for all Cranbrook citizens.

Most importantly, the objective of the committee is to provide information and insight on creating a livable, diverse and inclusive community.

My goodness, if the committee was to come even close to meeting its objective as set out in its terms of reference in Cranbrook approved by city council, it could meet at least weekly, never mind monthly. Of course city council makes the final decision on any recommendations made.

Taking a look at its membership, all appointed by council, it has eight, two of whom are council members and the other six represent a wide cross section of the community.

However, if the committee's mandate does not meet the political agenda of priorities of some members of council, then I understand that they may wish to curtail its activities. If so, then they should propose a motion amending its terms of reference at an open council meeting.

This is a municipal election year, and those elected will for the first time serve for four years. More than ever, citizens need to know where candidates stand. By the way, I have no idea who on the present council is planning to seek re-election.

The upshot of the discussion is that Mayor Stetski plans to meet with the committee.

The late Hubert Humphrey, vice president of the United States and Senator, in his last speech said: "The moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; those who are in the shadows of life; the sick, the needy and the handicapped."

Here is link to terms of reference

http://docs.cranbrook.ca/downloads/corporate/termsofreference/Family_And_Community_Services.pdf

My email is mj.morris@live.ca

 Full disclosure: I am not now and never have been a member of the Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook Society; however, I did conduct a workshop for its members for which I was paid.